Vital Veg visitors brave the rain

11 October 2013

A bit of inclement weather did not deter the enthusiastic organic growers and gardeners enjoying the well attended Horticultural Event at local organic farm, Vital Veg, near Midmar. As well as locally from Banchory, Strachan and Inverurie, visitors came from as far as Huntly, Inverness Edinburgh and Fife. Organised by Colleen McCulloch of the Soil Association’s Scottish Farming Innovation Network and hosted by Wendy Seel, who runs the farm and is also a Member of Organic Growers Alliance, the emphasis was on information exchange as everyone was interested to learn how to maximise production of healthy crops in the ever more unreliable Scottish weather. Controlling weeds and pests was another hot topic as organic growers avoid using chemical sprays. All visitors were well impressed by the range and “vitality” of Vital Veg’s production. Their organic produce that is viewed by many as a joy for their kitchen is distributed via a home delivery scheme that is organised via their website www.vitalveg.co.uk. Vital Veg is expanding their vegetable production and will be able to take on more customers in the Banchory area. Jennifer Brodie from Banchory also attended with the Soil Association approved SEER Rockdust that Wendy has used to good effect on her soil.

Wendy had a personal challenge on-going on how to get local chefs more interested in using cabbage. “Go to the continent” says Wendy “and hotels will have this healthy vegetable included in all manner of ways on their menus, and yet it seems to be forgotten here in Scotland”. To help fill the gap, Wendy has thrown down the gauntlet to local chefs and challenged them to try her cabbage and see what tasty dishes they can make from it.

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